10 Greatest Hard Rock Basslines

If you were in a rock band at the dawn of the millennium, it was a good time to be a bass player. Throughout the 2000's, many groups were giving their low end a chance to shine, from the opening blast of the Strokes' "Reptilia" to the Gorillaz's "Feel Good Inc" completely written around the bass. While these songs all put you in a different headspace, "Hysteria" by Muse was what really left bass players in shambles.

The ascending lines hit you right from the start of the song, as Chris Wolstenholme plays fast runs of 16th notes with absolutely no let-up. Even when the guitar comes in, your brain is still transfixed on the maniacal bass performance that is rattling your speakers. Although Wolstenholme plays the track on the record, it was actually Matthew Bellamy who wrote the bassline and had Chris learn it so it would fit into the track.

For any aspiring players, this is a must-listen if you want a track that will put your fingers through their paces, as it flies all across the fretboard in a way that is both chaotic and carefully composed at the same time. With this track, Muse created a bass part that was brain candy for music enthusiasts while also being heavy enough to bang your head to.